Real estate investing can be very risky, but it can also be highly lucrative. Yes, location, location, location is hugely important, but so who you are dealing with is even more important. The reality is that there are some seriously shady characters in the world of real estate. Consider those late night advertisements on television, where realtors promise to make you a millionaire, for instance.
The first thing is to find something with a good return on investment. Real estate is an illiquid asset that requires you to minimize on your liquid assets. Try to make sure that the return rate you get is the same as what it was on your liquid assets. Basically, you must find good cash flow properties, not money pits.
Also, make sure that your investment isn’t too risky. Real estate is always risky, but some more so than others. If at all possible, avoid tenant-in-common options, fixer uppers, real estate development and private real estate funds. With these options, it is highly unlikely that you will see a positive return. A much better idea is to title interesting properties to yourself. These decisions should be made based on research and analysis, as well as due diligence. Try to find a property that you don’t have